dr ananda de oliveira mirilli is unafraid and unapologetic in their commitment to racial and gender justice, bringing a global perspective to work that challenges inequity and builds more just, connected communities. A native of Brazil, they have a long history of working with communities in the U.S. and abroad. At age 14, ananda became engaged in social justice movements, advocating alongside children with multiple abilities, youth, and seniors experiencing poverty and homelessness.

After moving to the U.S., ananda found their passion for facilitating transformative learning spaces for individuals, groups, and organizations. Their work with youth, women, educators, and community leaders has shaped their research on belonging and their approach to building coalition and solidarity. As a skilled facilitator, ananda has engaged with thousands of youth and diverse professionals. They are a gifted storyteller, a deep listener, and a thoughtful, experienced practitioner who centers love and restorative principles in their work.

ananda is also a co-creator and director of nINA Collective. This multiracial cooperative partners with communities, organizations, and public institutions to advance racial justice, belonging, restorative practice, and systems transformation. Through nINA, they design and facilitate community-centered processes that bring people across difference into deeper relationship while translating shared values and lived experience into changes in practice, policy, culture, and power.

ananda works for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction as the Digital Storytelling Project Director and Implementation Strategist for the Transforming to Thrive grant, a statewide initiative supporting system-impacted youth as they transition from correctional facilities and return to their communities. Their work brings together digital storytelling, implementation science, and partnership development to strengthen how systems support young people.

ananda received their doctoral degree from Alverno College, where their research centered on co-creating belonging in learning spaces and developed a framework for understanding and cultivating belonging. They hold a master’s degree in Education Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin and a bachelor’s degree in Human Services and Psychology.

In Madison, Wisconsin, ananda has served on the boards of the Madison Metropolitan School District, Madison College, Nuestro Mundo Bilingual School, and UNIDOS Against Domestic Violence, among other grassroots organizations.

ananda is also the proud and dedicated mother of their daughter, Breana.